watching paint dry

be like watching paint dry

To be very dull or boring. Everyone loves that period drama, but, to me, it's like watching paint dry. Rachel fell asleep during the big game because she thinks that watching sports is like watching paint dry.
See also: dry, like, paint, watch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

watching paint dry

If something is like watching paint dry, it is extremely boring. Daytime TV is like watching paint dry, except not as colourful or useful. I replied that cricket was the most boring sport on earth, even worse than watching paint dry.
See also: dry, paint, watch
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • be like watching paint dry
  • (as) exciting as watching paint dry
  • exciting
  • exciting as watching paint dry
  • be like watching grass grow
  • (as) dull as dishwater
  • as dull as dishwater
  • dishwater
  • dull
  • dull as dishwater
References in periodicals archive
Verdict: Watching paint dry is definitely more interesting
Radio Four, 9am If you find engineering about as exciting as watching paint dry, then try tuning into Adam Hart-Davis new five part series, which explores some of the most ambitious civil engineering projects currently under construction in the UK.
Catherine Jones wonders if the latest TV wheeze - a show called Watching Paint Dry - is more dangerous to our collective intellect than it first appears.
It's about as interesting as watching paint dry - except that really is all that happens in the latest reality show.
SURREY University scientists got very excited watching paint dry. It's the kind of thing they do down there.
Watching grass grow If watching paint dry sounds too exhilarating, you could take a leaf out of Helen Southall's book.
As a drama, it's not quite as bad as watching paint dry, but with a lack of confrontation the moments of heartfelt regret are too self-absorbed to engage the viewer's emotions.
And chairman Philip Crawford admitted: "It's better than watching paint dry - just."
WHAT'S wrong with watching paint dry? I'd rather visit an exhibition that's worth talking about than look at a dusty old painting.
Two hours of rambling rubbish later, I wished I'd been watching paint dry. Even if it was an unexciting colour like grey or cream.
But the fun wore off quite soon afterwards and by the end it had become so exhausting that I thought I'd rather be watching paint dry.''
Then the dust settled and suddenly watching paint dry seemed like a more entertaining option.
Remem-ber Watercolour Challenge?'' Ap Twps: ``All right, watching paint dry might not be a runner.
So if it's a choice between a halfman-half-ape who thinks a good night's fun is haffa-stout down t'Rovers wi' Em'ly Bishop - then a night in watching paint dry wins every time!
AFTER another draw that was like watching paint dry, England came out last of all but, thankfully, avoided the traditional Group of Death.